Nigeria Welcomes Over 4000 New Wigs into Africa Biggest Bar Notwithstanding the Negative Marking System

Nigeria has again witnessed another significant event to wit: call to the biggest bar in Africa, where in 4,437 new lawyers were formally admitted into the Nigerian legal profession. According to report, a total of 4,429 candidates who excelled in the February 2025 Bar Final Examinations conducted by the Nigerian Law School notwithstanding their negative marking system, were joined by eight additional candidates from previous examinations in the admission ceremony hosted by the Body of Benchers at its headquarters in Abuja, on September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2025, and presided over by the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON.

During the ceremony, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Life Bencher, presented the candidates to the Body of Benchers, attesting to their academic excellence and moral character as “fit and proper” for admission into the legal profession, in accordance with the Legal Education Act. This rigorous certification process most especially the Negative marking system which will be discussed later in this article, underscores the high standards required to practice law in Nigeria, ensuring that only those who demonstrate intellectual prowess and ethical integrity are admitted to the Bar.

Chief Justice Ariwoola in his keynote address to the new wigs which served as a poignant reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with the privilege of practicing law in Nigeria, charged them to embody the principles of justice, integrity, and discipline in their professional conduct. “As ministers in the temple of justice, you must serve Nigeria and humanity with unwavering commitment to fairness, without fear or favor, affection, or ill will,” he said.

Your Call is no crown, but a charge to wield.

From commentaries gathered so far by EruditeNewsBlog, regarding the Call to the Bar ceremonies which did mark a new chapter for the 4,437 new lawyers, who now join the ranks of Nigeria’s esteemed legal community, Nigerians as well as the world expects them to as ministers in the temple of justice, uphold justice, contribute to the nation’s justice system, address contemporary legal challenges in areas such as human rights amongst others, advance the rule of law, and serve as advocates for a better Nigeria and world as they embark on their careers.

Meanwhile, among the newly called lawyers, is Barr. Benedict Ater who emerged as a standout, earning the prestigious title of the overall best graduating student at the September 2025 Call to the Bar. Hailing from Tarka Local Government Area in Benue State, Ater’s academic journey has been nothing short of exemplary. He reportedly graduated with a First Class Law Degree (LLB Hons) from Benue State University (BSU) and followed this achievement with a total of 18 awards including Overall Best Student of the Year, Best Male student of the year, Best student in Property Law Practice, Best Student in Professional Ethics & Skills, Most Promising Student of the Year, as well the Council of Legal Education Star Prize.

Ater’s remarkable accomplishments were celebrated not only within legal circles but also by his home state. On September 24, 2025, he was received and honored by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, in Abuja. The Minister commended Ater for his outstanding academic excellence, noting that his achievements have brought immense pride to Benue State. “Barr. Ater’s success is a testament to the potential of Benue’s youth. I remain committed to supporting their academic and professional aspirations through scholarships and empowerment programs,” Utsev stated.

Barr. Ater’s achievement has resonated deeply within Benue State, where he is seen as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young people. His academic journey reflects the power of dedication, hard work, and resilience. And as Nigeria celebrates the induction of its newest legal practitioners, the spotlight on Ater serves as a reminder of the potential within the nation’s youth especially call to bar aspirants or prospective lawyers, to notwithstanding the issues surrounding the NLS result grading system, not relent in fighting on and hard till end.

Discussing the Negative marking or result grading system by the Nigerian Law School which recognises only a candidate's lowest grade, one's weakness is here used to measure his or her strength in this legal journey.

In the words of a learned sister, Barr. Sandra Iruoma Ikeh, "If you are weak in any of the 5 courses, it automatically means that you are not qualified to be called to the bar. The rule is that you must not fail any of the 5 courses else you will come back next year to rewrite that course. However, if you fail Professional Ethics, you will come back any year you want to require ALL the courses because what is a lawyer without ethical standard?

Someone with first class made 5 A's. Someone with second class upper may have the lowest grade to be B+ with the rest A's. Funny right? Check image below to probably share in the painful fun.

Going on, someone with second class lower don't have a single C in his/her result. The lowest grade is a B. Someone with Pass don't have a single D. That person's lowest grade is a C. The next one is condoned pass. Here your lowest grade must be D which is nothing less than 39. And the last one is Fail. 4A's with one F as displayed below, is total nonsense. You will and shall come back to rewrite that course and the worst thing is that the moment you write a resit, even if you get that course A, your overall grade is a PASS. It shocked you?

"Reach out to every new wig you know and congratulate him/her. If you know anyone that couldn't make it, still reach out to them and strengthen them. They are the really warriors actually." She concluded.